Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Stephen Alcorn (Illustrator) "WHEN THE GOOD LORD was handing out the gift of conviction, he gave a hefty dose to Sojourner Truth..." (more)
Key Phrases: Fannie Lou, New York, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pinkney (Silent Thunder) presents eloquent portraits of 10 intrepid African-American activists for the causes of abolition, women's rights and civil rights. Exploring these individuals' childhoods as well as their accomplishments as adults, the author smoothly distills biographical information so as to hold the attention of young readers. Her selection of subjects includes the prominent (Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Shirley Chisholm) as well as such lesser-knowns as Fannie Lou Hamer, an indefatigable campaigner for African-Americans' right to vote. Pinkney's writing is spiced with colloquialisms ("She didn't shy back for nobody," she says of Sojourner Truth) and useful imagery (describing this same crusader's delivery of her renowned "Ain't I a woman?" speech, the author notes, "She was the only black woman in the place, and when she stepped to the pulpit, some folks looked at her like she was a stain on their purest linens"). Featuring creatively skewed perspective and proportion, Alcorn's (I, Too, Sing America) oil paintings offer allegorical interpretations of his subjects' lives. Ages 8-up. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Engaging text and glorious art are combined in this collection of sketches celebrating the contributions of 10 women who moved forward the cause of civil rights in America. Following a preface that describes her own family roots in the civil rights movement and their influence on her, Pinkney presents her heroines chronologically, from Sojourner Truth to Shirley Chisholm, in verbal portraits that capture the subjects' spirit and personalities amid biographical highlights. Blending straightforward narrative with a lively storytelling style, the author balances the hardships and racial injustice that these women faced against their faith, strength of character, and determination. They include Harriet Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Rosa Parks, as well as Biddy Mason, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Ella Josephine Baker, Dorothy Irene Height, and Fannie Lou Hamer. The book includes many quotes, incidents, and details that lead readers down their personal paths to historical recognition. However, it is Alcorn's vibrant, inspired oil paintings that make this book a standout. A full-page stylized portrait appears opposite the first page of each story; it is filled with symbolic details that are elucidated in the text. A brilliant example is a larger-than-life Harriet Tubman balanced on one knee over a railroad track with arms diagonally outstretched, bridgelike, as tiny travelers make their way up the steep height toward the freedom star. Smaller paintings appear within the stories, carrying the message further. Line, color, and canvas texture give the pictures depth and dynamism, vastly enriching the reading experience. This excellent collection is a must for every library.
Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Gulliver Books; 1st edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015201005X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152010058
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #112,283 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ten Inspirational Women..., April 25, 2001

By	Roz Levine (Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters (Library Binding)

What do Rosa Parks, Mary McLeod Bethune and Shirley Chisholm all have in common? They're three of the ten extraordinary African American freedom fighters in Andrea Davis Pinkney's marvelous collection, Let It Shine. These are strong women who didn't just sit back and accept the status quo, but met challenges head on and took action to change the world and make it a better place. These ten dynamic women were never silent, even when they thought no one was listening, faced discrimination, inequality and racism, triumphed in their battles against oppression and for civil rights and inspired those who followed in their footsteps. Told in easy to read, conversational style, each chapter is rich in both anecdotal and historical detail and accompanied by Stephen Alcorn's beautiful and bold oil painting illustrations. Perfect for youngsters 10 and older, Let It Shine also makes a wonderful read-aloud book the entire family can share and enjoy.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Continuing the Legacy, February 6, 2001

By	Lisa Heath (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

"Let It Shine: The Stories of Ten Black Women Freedom Fighters" is an amazing, entertaining, and educational journey back through time for both children and adults alike. The stories accurately depict the changing face of America for all people. The author, Andrea Davis Pinkney, uses a combination of oral stories and historical facts to re-create the lives of ten African American women "freedom fighters" (a.k.a. civil rights activists.) The descriptive language Pinkney uses keeps the style of the text upbeat and enjoyable. Among the list of women are Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. However, there is also a presence of many unknown women, such as Shirley Chisholm, an inspirational politician, and Biddy Mason, a one-time slave with never ending generosity. The stories are quite diverse, spanning a history of nearly the entire 20th century. Some of these historical references include the signing of the emancipation proclamation, the peaceful demonstrations of the civil rights movement, and the Democratic Convention of 1968. There is one common, underlying goal of each story- inspiration. From Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad to Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat, there is a sublte undertone that promotes and requires action. These women learned that justice comes from not only speaking, but doing. Their stories and successes encourage people of all ages to get up and fight against inequality. The combination of descriptive oral stories and historical facts, along with the colorful illustrations, keep readers of any age interested in this text.

4.0 out of 5 stars Let It Shine, September 9, 2009

By	Shel Julian Kessel "SJ Kessel" (Columbus, Oh) - See all my reviews

Pinkney, A.D. (2000). Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters. New York: Harcourt, Inc.



015201005x



Oh, that Pinkney family. One after another, successful children's authors and illustrators.



A Coretta Scott King Honor book, Let It Shine chronologically shares the stories of ten black woman who have fought for freedom and civil rights throughout American history. The stories are not so much complete biographical accounts of the women, but rather use child-friendly language to share relevant aspects of their lives. While the accounts are organized chronologically, but do incorporate some overlap in time and even interaction.



Let It Shine does include some well-known freedom fighters, but it also incorporates many lesser-known women whose stories are important to know. One of the ways to make this book particularly relevant to current events, is through the account of Shirley Chisholm's political experiences and run for the Presidency. Pinkney was wise (lucky?) enough to feature Chisholm's quote "Someday, somewhere, somehow, someone other than a white male could be President" (p. 95). Pinkney goes on to include in her conclusion to Chisholm "It proved to everyone else that a little girl from Brooklyn , whose parents could not afford to buy a home, could dare to dream of becoming the number-one tenant of the White House. Shirley had been right: America was changing" (p. 104). Hahaha. And America kept on changing...preparing for Obama to step into that White House. Wonderful conversation starter.



Each account shares only a few if any historical dates or events beyond the dates of birth and death, so a teacher would have to provide support over the setting and significant influences of the time (or have students research them in groups).



The illustrations are bright, colorful and often metaphorical. And while there are not pictures present on every page, enough are distributed throughout the chapters to provide students with breaks and keep them motivated.





Activities to do with the book:



If students were assigned to do reports or presentations on these women, the relevant chapter for that student could be invaluable. A teacher could also incorporate facts from this book into their history lessons.



A teacher could draw out the fact that several of these women had to drop out of school as young children and work to help keep their families together (Fannie Lou Hamer is one example). This fact could help get students to contemplate the evolving expectations and treatments of children throughout history.



Students could examine this book (or Nelson's We Are the Ship, reviewed previously) for personalized language that helps make information books like these ones seem more engaging and familiar.



This is a great resource to keep on the shelf as a reference book or to assign to students on a chapter-by-chapter basis or as recommended reading.





Favorite Quotes:



"On August 28, 1963, one month before I was born, my father stood on Washington D.C.'s great lawn and listened with rapt attention to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his unforgettable "I Have a Dream" speech. Just blocks away, in my parents' tiny apartment in southeast Washington, my pregnant mother watched the history-making even on television. Mom says I kicked and squirmed inside her belly throughout Dr. King's powerful speech. And though I was yet to be born, the March on Washington became my earliest experience with the civil rights movement. But there would be countless others" (p. ix).



"[Soujourner Truth]'s voice to a fiery boom of truth--her truth..."You say Jesus was a man, so that means God favors men over women. Where did your Christ come from?" she asked. Then she summoned her father's backbone strength and stood tall to answer her own question. "Jesus came from God and a woman. Man had nothing to do with him" (pp. 6-7).



"By this time America had slipped into what was called the Great Depression. Times were hard; there weren't many jobs. Formerly rich folks and poor folks, black folks and white folks, stood together in the same unemployment lines" (p. 49).